Through the Individual Development Account program, now in its fourth year, 137 families have done just that. Shelley Culwell, IDA program director with Universal Housing Development Corporation, explained that the program helps families save for a first home, home repair, a college education and starting or expanding a small business. Participants must meet income requirements and must have a minor living in the home.

“Last year, we had 100 participants and a waiting list,” Culwell said. “This year, we can have 125 (participants) and we’re close to 100 already.”

Participants must apply to the program, receive approval, take classes and can not touch their savings for six months. The participation period is three years, and once a participant is finished, they can not do the program again.

Classes on budgeting, managing credit and spending, filling out a check register and deposit slips are held in each of the seven counties served by Universal Housing, including Pope, Yell and Johnson.

“They learn skills that many people take for granted,” she said. “We just finished some classes in Paris and several came up to us afterwards, and told us that it opened their eyes to the way they were spending.”

The funds are allocated to states through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funding. Culwell said most participants use their savings for first homes or home repair, adding that she has seen previously “unlivable” houses become viable homes to families in need.

Families are required to save $10 each month, but she said they usually save more than that. All funds generated through the program must be used for one of the outlined purposes, but any above that can be used by the families in any way they choose.

“Our biggest challenge is the questioning of the legitimacy,” she said. “The best way we’ve gotten acknowledgment is when our participants do this program and then tell others. They say ‘I did this, and it’s real.’”

The greatest advantage aside from earning money, she said, is the invaluable education received through the classes, which are free of charge, but are required of the program. The classes don’t go into great detail on most topics, but if more assistance is needed, Universal Housing has counselors on staff to assist clients. This also free of charge.